Magnus Holmgren wrote:
I thought they did? At least the message from WU/WGA on one computer with
Windows XP I used recently was that unauthorised installations only get
critical updates, but they do get those. Is that going to change with Vista?
Yes. See, for instance, http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/3665
Vista machines that Windows "Genuine Advantage" believes to be pirated
will operate with reduced functionality, including disabling the "Windows
Defender" software that protects against malware.
What's especially troubling is the large number of false positives that
WGA currently generates if the computer's hardware is significantly
altered. It also seems to me that this approach leaves these machines
ripe for a denial-of-service attack where a virus somehow changes the WGA
signature on the machine so it appears that the Windows OS is pirated.
Then the next time WGA phones home it switches the infected computer to
the reduced functionality state (which generates lots of calls to the
help desk!).
All that said, those of you who think a lawsuit is a good approach should
start by reading the Windows EULA. Like most EULA's it exempts Microsoft
from liability for just about anything it's software does. I also
suspect most judges wouldn't consider spamming to be a sufficient threat
to the public's health and welfare that it would justify taking legal
actions against Microsoft. But, if your attorneys think this is a good
idea, more power to you!
Peter
